The most common painkillers are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
More than 30 million people take them, corresponding to 60% of the total analgesic market.
One of the most common pain relievers is naproxen.
But is it true you can get sexual side effects from taking this medication?
In this article, we will evaluate the side effects of naproxen (Aleve) sexually and other questions of interest.
What is Naproxen (Aleve)?
Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It is an over-the-counter medication, does not require a prescription, and is considered safe to consume.
However, like all medications, naproxen has adverse effects, as shown below. Naproxen works by inhibiting an enzyme that produces substances called prostaglandins. These are inflammatory cytokines, i.e., they enhance inflammation.
By reducing inflammation, naproxen relieves the sensation of pain since these inflammatory substances also stimulate free nerve endings and trigger these stimuli.
However, there are precautions and adverse effects to take into account before consuming naproxen, as well as other anti-inflammatory drugs.
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What are the side effects of Naproxen sexually?
The reason why naproxen is an over-the-counter drug is because it is considered safe for most people. However, all medications we may take have adverse effects.
In fact, 60% of people who take NSAIDs experience some type of adverse effect.
So there is always a risk. This risk increases as the dose or frequency of intake rises. There are also triggers or personal risk factors, which explain why some people experience an adverse effect, and others do not.
Among the most common adverse effects of naproxen are:
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heartburn
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Muscle aches
- Intestinal gas
Very rarely, more serious symptoms occur, such as:
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Shortness of breath
- High blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
But some patients have also experienced naproxen side effects sexually, such as erectile dysfunction in men and sexual dysfunction in women.
Depending on the case, the risk can be 13 to 42%, according to one of the first studies on this issue. This can also trigger other problems on a sexual or emotional level that can further complicate the case.
What causes sexual side effects?
The reason for erectile dysfunction when taking naproxen may be related to decreased prostaglandins.
As mentioned, these inflammatory substances help regulate blood flow and reduce fluid retention in inflamed tissues.
Remember, however, that erection is actually a controlled retention of fluids in the penile tissue.
In other words, prostaglandins are also important for erection, and by inhibiting the enzyme that produces them, we could be decreasing the potency of erectile function.
However, we must take into account that studies performed on patients taking naproxen show that this defect occurs mainly in people who take the drug three times a day for more than three months.
So, they may count as long-term side effects of naproxen (Aleve). This does not mean that sporadic intake does not affect erection, but it is much less likely.
The people at risk are those who take the drug regularly, especially those who have to use it non-stop.
Recent studies have also shown that the risk is much lower than previously thought. There are even studies that show no sexual adverse effects and claim that naproxen does not affect sexual function.
Instead, these studies give us insight that people with alleged sexual adverse effects would actually have this symptom even without taking the drug due to painful syndrome or aging.
For example, patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a 67% higher risk of erectile dysfunction.
The fact that they are taking naproxen in their case may be just a chance finding, not necessarily the cause of their erectile problem.
Although there is no definitive answer, some people taking naproxen regularly experience sexual dysfunction.
Therefore, it is worth evaluating some recommendations to reduce the side effects of naproxen and other similar medications.
How to reduce the side effects of Naproxen?
- Take the medication as your doctor prescribes, and consult if you require a higher dose to manage your pain.
- Do not take more than 660 mg of naproxen a day unless directly recommended by your doctor.
- Try to take naproxen only when required. If there is no pain and the doctor has not prescribed it periodically, you can stop taking it.
- Avoid combining other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with naproxen.
- Take the medication with meals or a small snack to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort.
- Drink enough fluids to dilute the active component in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Avoid alcohol consumption not to alter the concentration of naproxen in the blood.
- Get adequate rest, especially if you have headaches.
- Remember that some symptoms, like headaches, may appear in the first week and disappear.
- Talk to your doctor if a new symptom appears, if these symptoms are very severe, or if they last too long.
Before taking naproxen as an analgesic without a doctor’s prescription, take into account the contraindications shown in the following table:
| Absolute contraindications (do not take) | Relative contraindications (take caution) |
| Hypersensitivity to NSAIDs | Pregnancy during the first trimester |
| Asthma triggered by NSAIDs | Heart disease or hypertension |
| Pregnancy after the second trimester | Fluid retention |
| Coronary artery bypass graft surgery | Dehydration |
| Peptic ulcer disease or GERD | |
| Coagulopathy conditions | |
| Kidney or liver disease | |
| Alcohol or tobacco use | |
| Elderly patients |
Conclusion
As with many other drugs, naproxen can cause adverse events. These can be divided into common and uncommon.
Common adverse effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, and diarrhea. Some people may also experience erectile dysfunction when taking naproxen.
This adverse effect is more common in those who take a high dose or require treatment three times a day, every day for months.
Even so, other more common causes of erectile dysfunction, such as age-related changes, atherosclerosis, and diabetic neuropathy, should be ruled out.
In order to reduce the risk of adverse effects, it is recommended to take naproxen as prescribed by the physician and to avoid mixing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or taking excessive doses.
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